Cottage season in Canada is a cherished time when families and friends head to their cottages for relaxation, outdoor activities, and enjoying nature. Whether you have a lakeside cabin or a countryside retreat, preparing your cottage for the season is crucial for ensuring a comfortable and safe stay. The transition from winter to spring brings several tasks to complete, from checking your cottage’s plumbing to getting the lawnmower ready for the season. By tackling these essential steps early, you’ll be able to enjoy a stress-free cottage experience.

Toronto's housing market faced a significant slowdown in March 2025, with home sales dropping by 23.1% compared to the same month last year. The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) reported only 5,011 homes sold, marking one of the slowest March performances in recent memory. This decline occurred despite the Bank of Canada's efforts to stimulate the market by reducing interest rates by 2.25 percentage points since June 2024.

A Victorian-era home in Toronto’s Cabbagetown neighbourhood is turning heads with its classic charm and original features. Listed at $1.78 million, this three-storey house on Metcalfe Street offers a blend of historic character and modern comfort. With 14-foot ceilings, original fireplaces, and bay windows, the property showcases the elegance of 19th-century architecture. The red brick façade and custom masonry details further highlight its timeless appeal.

Ontario’s real estate and development sector experienced a wave of significant leadership changes and promotions in March 2025, reflecting the industry's dynamic nature and ongoing growth. Key players across development, brokerage, and finance sectors announced strategic appointments aimed at strengthening their operations and adapting to market demands.

A Toronto condo investor is being sued for $860,000 after failing to finalize a pre-construction purchase, highlighting a growing trend of buyers walking away from deals as the market shifts. The lawsuit, filed by the developer, claims the investor defaulted on the agreement, leading to significant financial losses.

Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada and potential future Liberal leader, says the federal government needs to step up and build more homes. Speaking at a housing event in Toronto, Carney said Ottawa should get back into the "business of homebuilding" to help fix Canada’s housing crisis. He believes the federal government can help speed up construction and reduce costs by working directly with cities and provinces.

A modest bungalow in Toronto's Rockcliffe-Smythe neighborhood is on the market for $900,000, positioning itself as a potential alternative to condo living. This two-bedroom home offers a unique opportunity for buyers seeking the benefits of a detached property without the higher price tag often associated with larger houses in the city.

As the snow melts away and the days grow longer, many Canadians look forward to the arrival of spring. Along with the season’s fresh air and warmer weather comes the perfect opportunity to tackle spring cleaning. After a long winter, homes can accumulate dust, dirt, and grime that have settled in during the colder months. Spring cleaning is more than just an opportunity to refresh your home; it’s a chance to remove the buildup that winter left behind and start the new season with a clean, organized living space.

Canadian banks are becoming more cautious in approving mortgages for workers in industries vulnerable to U.S. tariffs, particularly those threatened by former President Donald Trump. Mortgage brokers report that banks are tightening lending criteria for employees in sectors like steel, aluminum, and auto manufacturing, which are at risk of being affected by new tariffs. This increased scrutiny stems from concerns about potential job losses and income instability in these industries.

Atlantic Canada and the Prairie provinces are facing significant economic challenges due to escalating trade tensions and a downturn in Toronto's housing market. Recent retaliatory tariffs from China, responding to Canada's earlier levies on electric vehicles and metals, have targeted key sectors like agriculture and fisheries. This has particularly impacted regions heavily reliant on exports.

Canadian business leaders are expressing growing concerns about the country's economic future. The Bank of Canada's latest Business Outlook Survey for the first quarter of 2025 indicates a significant drop in business confidence, with the overall indicator falling to -2.1. This level suggests that businesses anticipate near-zero economic growth in the coming months.

Canada's job market showed signs of strain in March, with the private sector shedding 48,000 jobs, leading to a net employment decline of 33,000 positions nationwide. This downturn was primarily felt in Ontario and Alberta, which lost 28,000 and 15,000 jobs respectively. In contrast, Saskatchewan added 6,600 jobs, offering a modest counterbalance to the national figures.

Home sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) declined in March 2025, reflecting ongoing economic uncertainty and trade tensions. The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) reported a 2.4% seasonally adjusted decrease from February, totaling 4,221 units sold. Compared to March 2024, sales were down 23.1%, indicating a significant year-over-year drop.

Canada's downtown office vacancy rate has decreased for the first time since 2020, signaling a positive shift in the country's commercial real estate market. After years of high vacancy rates due to the pandemic and the rise of remote work, recent data indicates that more businesses are returning to downtown office spaces. This change is largely driven by companies seeking modern, high-quality offices to attract employees back to in-person work.

Canada is facing a serious housing crisis, with many people struggling to find affordable homes. While the government has introduced various programs and funds to address the issue, some experts believe that reducing taxes and regulations could be a more effective solution.

Centris.ca, a leading real estate website in Quebec, has been named one of Canada's top digital platforms in the 2025 WOW Digital Study by Leger Marketing. The study evaluates the online experiences of various websites and applications across the country. Centris.ca achieved a WOW Digital score of 78.0, marking an improvement of 4.4 points from the previous year.

Canada Lands Company has submitted updated plans for the Arbo Downsview development in North York, Toronto. The revised proposal seeks to add 300 more residential units to the already approved 1,400, bringing the total to 1,700 units in Phase 1. This change aims to provide more housing options while keeping the overall building size the same.

As 2025 unfolds, a recent survey by the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB), the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ), and the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ sheds light on the buying and selling intentions of Quebecers. Conducted by Léger in late 2024, the study reveals that despite economic uncertainties, many residents, especially young adults, are keen on entering the housing market.

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to eliminate the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) on new homes priced under $1.3 million if elected. He claims this move could save Canadians up to $65,000 and make housing more affordable in cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

Marlin Spring Developments is moving forward with plans to build a 49-storey condominium tower at 5280 Dundas Street West in Etobicoke. The site, acquired in July 2024, is adjacent to the Kipling GO Station, offering residents convenient access to multiple transit options, including GO, TTC, and MiWay services.

Taza Development Corporation has announced the selection of three homebuilders—Brookfield Residential, Crystal Creek Homes, and Homes by Avi—as the initial residential developers for the expansive 470-acre Taza Park project in Calgary. This significant step marks a major milestone in the development of one of North America's largest Indigenous-led real estate initiatives. citeturn0search0

In the wake of Donald Trump's re-election, Canadian mortgage holders are facing a shifting financial landscape. The U.S. election outcome has led to a surge in bond yields, which directly influence fixed mortgage rates in Canada. This development has prompted many Canadians to consider locking in three-year fixed mortgage rates to secure some financial stability during the uncertain years ahead.

Despite economic challenges like high interest rates and inflation, Canada's cottage market remains strong. According to a recent Financial Post article, demand for recreational properties is steady, with buyers still eager to invest in cottages across the country.

A charming bungalow in Toronto's Princess Gardens neighborhood has been listed for $1.6 million. This three-bedroom, two-bathroom home offers a serene, tree-lined view, providing a peaceful retreat within the city.

Meredith Hayden, a best-selling cookbook author and culinary content creator, has recently undertaken renovations to make her historic Hamptons home more inviting. Known for her approachable cooking style and engaging online presence, Hayden emphasizes the deep connection between her living space and her culinary endeavors. "A lot of it is connected for me — home, food, cooking," she explains.